Page 2 of Controlled Burn

“Caleb says I need a hobby. I thought maybe we could toss around some ideas.” He rolled his eyes, and I chuckled.

He was working hard to rebuild a strong relationship with his son, Caleb. After the divorce, it had been hard because Debbie had gotten a job in San Antonio, and she and Caleb had moved away. Now that Caleb was grown, the divide had been widened by how different they were.

Caleb had definitely taken after his mother. He was wicked smart, a bit shy, and had always struck me as delicate. Robert, on the other hand, was a little rough around the edges and a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Of course, most firefighters were.

Robert had been thrilled when Caleb finished college and got a job here in Vesper at the city library, and while the two of them might never be best buddies, they’d made a ton of progress as father and son.

“He’s just worried about you, and he isn’t wrong. You could use a hobby that isn’t a blond with big boobs and a nice ass.”

“You’re one to talk. Well, not big boobs, but you do like a nice ass.”

“True, but I’m still young. It makes sense for me to still be playing the field. You, on the other hand…” I shook my head and let out a sad sigh. “You’re getting on up there.”

“Asshole, you turned forty this year, so you’re no spring chicken. Besides, I’m perfectly happy with my current… hobbies.”

“I’m sure you are, my friend.” I gave the chili one last stir and put the lid on the crock pot when the alarm went off, and an emergency came over the PA system. I glanced at the mess still left on the island and shook my head. “Guess this stuff can wait. Let’s roll.”

Caleb

“I can’t believe the gardener was the bad guy all along. Isn’t one of the rules of cozy mysteries supposed to be that you leave enough clues that the reader has a chance to solve the mystery?” Ezra asked.

“Yeah, it is. But the romance between the two guys was great.” Livy tapped the top of the book that sat on the table in front of her. “I would read the next one just to see if they figure their shit out.”

“I thought it was okay, but I like my books with a little more spice.” Toby took a drink of his wine and turned to me. “What did you think, Caleb?”

After what Ezra said, I didn’t want to tell them I knew it was the gardener from the beginning.

“I thought it was well written. There aren’t enough queer cozies out there, so I was glad to see this author take a stab at it.”

Our book group, The Rainbow Romance Reader’s Club, met on the second Friday of each month. We’d started out meeting at the library over a year ago. But somewhere along the way, we’d gone from an official book club to a group of friends who liked to read queer romance and drink wine, something we couldn’t do at a government building, so now we alternated houses.

“I think we need more chips, and I know I need a refill.” Jude held up his empty glass. “Can I get anybody anything?

“Let me help.” Ezra hopped up and followed him into the kitchen, which didn’t surprise anyone. Ezra had a mad crush on Jude, something everyone but Jude was aware of.

“Speaking of figuring their shit out,” Toby mumbled.

The two guys came back with another bottle of wine and more snacks. “So,” Jude said, placing the snacks on the table and flopping back down in his seat. “What book is next? Whose turn is it to pick?”

“I think it’s Caleb’s turn,” Livy said. “And we all know what that means.”

“It’s Daddy time,” Toby singsonged.

Ezra sighed and rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. Every time would be Daddy time if it was up to Caleb.”

“I read other things,” I insisted.

Livy patted my leg. “Of course you do, sweetie. You’re a librarian. But we all know Daddy romance is your favorite.”

“And not just to read.” Jude popped a chip into his mouth.

“Which leads to the real question,” Toby said. “When are you gonna stop reading about Daddies and actually find one of your own?”

“How did we go from talking about this”—I held up the cozy mystery we’d just been discussing—“to talking about my love life?”

“Or the lack thereof?” Livy added with a shrug.

I downed the rest of my drink and sank down on the couch cushion. “Fair enough.”

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